Guidance

Using waste tyres in escape ladders in water storage reservoirs: RPS 139

Updated 30 August 2019

This guidance was withdrawn on

If you can comply with the conditions, you can now use waste tyres in escape ladders in water storage reservoirs under low risk waste position 77.

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/using-waste-tyres-in-escape-ladders-in-water-storage-reservoirs-rps-139/using-waste-tyres-in-escape-ladders-in-water-storage-reservoirs-rps-139

This regulatory position statement (RPS) allows you to use waste tyres in escape ladders in water storage reservoirs.

Waste tyres roped together make effective escape ladders in reservoirs. See our guidance on planning, designing and building water storage reservoirs.

If you comply with the conditions in this RPS you do not need to apply for an environmental permit to use waste tyres in this way.

Conditions you must comply with

You must:

  • have written confirmation from the Environment Agency that you can use waste tyres in this way
  • make sure the tyre ladders are placed at least 10 metres apart
  • store the tyres with a 10 metre fire break between piles
  • already have an abstraction licence for the reservoir
  • already have planning permission

You must not:

  • use more than 1,000 tyres
  • store more than 500 tyres in a pile
  • bring tyres to the site before the project starts
  • store the tyres for more than 3 months before they’re used

You must make sure the tyres do not endanger human health or the environment. You must not:

  • cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals
  • cause a nuisance through noise or odours
  • adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest

Enforcement

An RPS means that the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action against you provided:

  • your activity meets the description set out in this RPS
  • you comply with the conditions set out in this RPS
  • your activity does not, and is not likely to, cause environmental pollution or harm human health

When to check back

This RPS will be reviewed by 31 January 2021. You’ll need to check back then to see whether this statement still applies or if you need to apply for a permit.

Contact the Environment Agency

General enquiries

National Customer Contact Centre
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY

Email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

Telephone 03708 506 506

Telephone from outside the UK (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm GMT) +44 (0) 114 282 5312

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

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